Hard facing Rods for TIG

[pkrankow]

Wouldn't small size square stock tool steel cost less than drill rod since no grinding step is done? Would the corners be such a detriment for TIG welding?

Just a thought
Phil

[crij]

Another trick for something too large for the forge was to create a ground fire pit, with an air pipe that goes under the pit to provide the forced air. This way the fire can be made as large as needed.

So what you do is create the fire pit, get it going hot with coal, heat the metal on top of the coal fire, then just bury it under dry sand. Make sure you stopper the air pipe completely. You want zero air coming down the pipe, it would be better if your pipe is 2 pieces, where it will separate under ground so you can pull the above ground pipe out then collapse and fill the tunnel left by the air pipe.


Also you could create a wood fire pit, place the block in the middle with the surfaced side up, and rosebud the top surface to yellow hot. After the body is red and the work surface is yellow, just bury it in sand for an hour or two.

Just some ideas,

Rich C.